Harvey Weinstein's latest sexual assault trial gets underway
Jury selection in Harvey Weinstein’s latest sexual abuse trial got underway in Los Angeles on Monday 10 October. Weinstein is already serving 23 years behind bars in New York after being convicted of third degree rape, but is facing a further 11 charges of abuse, including allegations of assault and rape.
The disgraced Hollywood producer is alleged to have sexually assaulted five women – known as Jane Does – in separate incidents from 2004 to 2013. All five accusers are expected to testify at the trial, which could last for several weeks.
Weinstein – who was one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood before dozens of women accused him of sexual assault in 2017, resulting in his downfall – has denied all the claims against him and his lawyer said the claims were either fabricated or result from consensual encounters. He could face an additional 140 years in prison in California if found guilty.
The allegations made against the 70-year-old propelled the global #MeToo movement in which millions of people came forward to share their own experiences of sexual assault both in and out of the workplace.
Although Weinstein is currently serving a sentence of more than two decades, it was recently confirmed that he had been granted an appeal by New York State of Appeals Chief Judge, Janet DiFiore. This means that next year, a court will hear Weinstein's request to appeal his conviction of third-degree rape and one count of a first-degree criminal sexual act.
"I am so grateful to my attorneys for working hard and smart on this," Weinstein said through a spokesperson. "Their hard work will help me prove my innocence in the end."
If Weinstein's conviction in New York is upheld, he will continue to serve the rest of his 23 year sentence. But, if it is overturned, his fate behind bars would depend on whether he is convicted in Los Angeles.
"This case is unique," Mark Werksman – one of Weinstein's lawyers – told The Associated Press. "Mr. Weinstein’s notoriety and his place in our culture at the centre of the firestorm which is the #MeToo movement is real, and we’re trying to do everything we can to avoid having a trial when there will be a swirl of adverse publicity toward him."
For help with any of the issues discussed in this article, visit: Rape Crisis England & Wales, Rape Crisis Scotland, or Rape Crisis Northern Ireland. RASASC provides emotional and practical support for survivors, families and friends.
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